Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 7mm-08 vs. 25-06

What would be a better for a beginning hunter, a 25-06 or a 7mm-08? The gun will be used for deer and antelope and maybe an elk.

Laker
Lots of questions to go into before picking on over the other. Either would be fine and both are exceptional in their own right but each has advantages.

Weight is easier to control with a short action, so the 7-08 wins there.

The 25-06 is flatter-shooting, but does a new hunter need to stretch things out? I think not.

Some new hunters have some age and mass so the recoil issue is moot, though both are mild enough.

The 7-08 is marginally better for elk because bigger bullets give a little more room for error, but premium bullets negate that difference.

Only because of the SA I would pick the 7-08... That said I have 3 25-06s and a single 7-08...
art

I agree with Sitka. While I have no experience with the 25-06, I did set my boy up with a little Remington Model 7 and it seems like a good first gun for a young hunter. Light, compact, accurate, and now bad on the recoil side of things. Good luck with your choice.

Funny, you picked my favorite and one of my least favorite catridges here.

I use a 7mm-08 almost exclusively any more. It does everything I need, in a nice lightweight rifle, with quality bullets heavy and stout enough (and with plenty to pick from) to do almost all of my hunting. Recoil with 140 grain loads is very manageable.

The 25-06 on the other hand, has always been near the bottom of my "wants" list. I've just never had any desire to own one. I figure if I'm going to shoot a quarter bore, it will be in a 250 Savage. If I'm going to mess with something built around the -06 case, it will be a 270 or a 30-06.

For your application, I'd definitely have to go with the 7mm-08.

7/08.

I vote the for the 7-08. Some cartridges just seem to work. I have generally found the 7-08 accurate, balanced and modest in recoil. You have a huge selection of bullets and the ability to toss heavier lead... if you so desire. The shorter action makes for an easier gun to pack in the brush. The most important aspect of your decision is confidence. Find a rifle and fall in love. Shoot it... a lot. Believe in the rifle. Trust the rifle. Some guys can't stay on one rifle long enough to really develop a relationship. If you love the rifle and love shooting the rifle, you will hunt better and kill more animals. So... have fun dating.

I own both. As for the long action vs. short action debate, I have never been bothered by long actions. I regularly use my .25-06 for deer, my .35 Whelen for elk, and my .30-06 for everything. But, I really like my 7mm-08 too. I just don't find the LA/SA factor as that important in picking a rifle.

I will vote for the 7mm-08 since you mentioned elk. Otherwise I'd say to get which ever cartridge tickles your fancy the most!

I was out this past weekend with my 7-08 while my cousin was shooting a 25-06. Both of us took our deer at 350 yards while running so I would say that either one would work. For a new hunter though, I would look for a caliber with ammo more readily available as they aren't likely going to be reloading yet. I know I can only get 7-08 at a couple outdoor stores, not your run of the mill Canadian Tire/Wal-Marts. I load my own so it's not really an issue. Personally I would get them a 270 or .30-06 since they are both good all around calibers with readily available ammo.


SS

350 yds? running? wow!

Thanks. Both deer were pushed out of the bush so they were booking it across the fields. I was resting on a fence post. My cousin did his freehand. both of us hit our deer a little high and at the back of the lungs. Mine piled up right there and his made it into another bush. I was using 140gr Partitions out of a Mtn Rifle LSS. He was using Grand Slams (not sure the weight) out of a Browning BBR. We both paced the distance. These are the first running deer for both of us.


SS

I have two 7mms, but they're both 7x57s on Mauser 98s. I have one 25/06, but also have 2 257s and 3 250 Savages. The 250s are a model 99 and two short action bolt guns. I See no difference among the short vs long actions as far as carrying and shootabilitity. My pick would be the 25/06, but you should be happy with the fit and feel of the rifle, regardless of caliber.

Man Law!

As the guy with the "deer bore battery" (280 Rem, 7x57 (2), 7mm08, 6.5x55, 25-06, 250 Savage) I am completely in the camp of "fit and feel" above all else once you get in the bullet size of .257 on up.

OK, while I'd not likely grab a 250 Savage for an elk/moose hunt unless I knew I'd be shooting a premium within 100 yds. The only hesitation I'd have with my 25-06 for a generic "elk/moose hunt" is the platform ... my B-78 is heavier than I like for a "ready carry rifle" and cocking the hammer is not my first choice for a surprise (to me) shot. No problems using it for stalking prairie or "bean field" applications.

Had no concerns carrying the 6.5x55 with TSX's while moose hunting this fall. 'Course Big Drift got the shot at the moose so my speculations are purely academic.

That said, if my feet were to the fire for "one rifle/mostly deer - maybe someday elk or moose" I'd find a 284 bore that I liked (or 4 of them) and call it good. Given the time I'm either IN the brush or ON the edge of brush looking at a big field, a compact rifle like the Model 7 7mm08 (or me Shillelagh 7x57 if feeling exotic) REALLY makes sense. But that is what fits/feels best to me ...

GE

Sam-

Good shootin' dude. BTW, the lass in your avatar is friggin HOT.

I hunt with a 25-06 some, but would still opt for the 7-08 for a beginner. The 7-08 is one versatile big game cartridge and won't be outgrown.

You forgot one of the most important questions: Do you have the ability to reload?

If so, then get a .35 Whelen. If you are with a young hunter...or a new hunter and elk are a possibility, then the Whelen is a great choice....perhaps the best choice.

If you can reload, it is easy enough to load the .35 Whelen to 35 Remington ballistics. You can load 158 grn .357 Magnum bullets to just over 1800 fps with a little bit of IMR 2400 for a very nice plinking load.

Then...when your beginning hunter is ready and familiar with shooting the Whelen....you can easily load some 250 grn bullets to 2500 fps and have an awesome elk load.

Thanks. The lass is my wife taken at her sisters wedding. She was the matron of honor and I was a groom's man. I actually bought the 7-08 for her with the purpose of having a lighter rifle in a short action that would be well suited for deer and possibly moose if she desired. After I got it for her, she said I could have it and she would shoot my Ruger M77 '06. It doesn't much matter to me either way so I let her pick.


SS

Quote: "The gun will be used for deer and antelope and maybe an elk."

Seems like the perfect scenario for a .260 Rem or a 7mm-08. According to the Nosler manual, a .260 or 7mm-08 will fire a 120 gr bullet about as fast as a .25-06 (within about 100 fps IIRC), with a little less powder (and less recoil). The .260 Rem will also keep up with a .25-06 with 100 gr bullets (again within 100 fps IIRC), with a little less powder and recoil. Also, you could use 140 gr bullets for elk with both the .260 and 7mm-08.

Another option would be a .270 with Remington Managed Recoil ammo for deer/antelope out to 200-250 yards. Hodgdon also has some "youth" loads on their website for both the 7mm-08 and the .270.

With the "and maybe an elk," the 7mm-08 makes the most sense to me between a .25-06 and a 7mm-08, but a .260 or .270 should also fill the bill.

25-06.

Since you reload, the 100 grain tsx over 53 gr of H4350 in a winchester case with F210M primers.

And, you can buy 25-06 ammo at Wally World,a nd finer places everywhere.

Gotta like the 7mm-08.

Coldbore - I agree with what you say, especially about the .250 Savage. If I were going to mess around with the /06 case, make mine 280 Remington.